The European Union posted a message aimed squarely at President Donald Trump. “We stand ready to defend our interests.”
The EU was responding to Trump’s post Friday that threatened the trade association of European nations with new tariffs. He threatened to hit the EU with 50% trade fees.
EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic posted that the EU is not backing away from negotiations, “@EU_Commission remains ready to work in good faith.”
Sefcovic said Trump should loosen his approach. “EU-US trade is unmatched & must be guided by mutual respect, not threats.”
Trump said the EU has no apparent interest in negotiation and its intent has always been to make money off America. He said it was “formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE.”
The president said there have been trade talks with EU leaders, but Trump said there are no results. “Our discussions with them,” he said, “are going nowhere!” Trump issued a clear challenge to the EU. “Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025.”
Trump has not issued an ‘order’ to impose that level of tariffs on the EU. Yet.
The Wall Street Journal reported that one of the issues impacting a trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union is that it is one nation trying to get 27 others to agree on trade practices in one package. U.S. negotiators, reported the Journal, are frustrated at the inability of the EU to address key issues, including everything from fees on streaming services to regulations on the automotive industry.
A member nation leader said that it’s hard to know when Trump is prepared to act or posturing to leverage a deal. The Journal reported that the unnamed diplomat said, “You can’t base policy off a Truth Social post.”
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